I’ve had High Wages by Dorothy Whipple in my TBR list for years despite the fact that I know so many people have loved it. The thickness of my edition was putting me off I think, unusually for me it’s a first edition which I just about fell over in an antiques shop which only had a couple of books in it, it cost me all of £2, I felt so lucky as I had been meaning to get the book for ages and just hadn’t got around to ordering it.
Anyway, I loved this one which begins with Jane Carter visiting the small town of Tidsley on her half-day off. She works in a draper’s shop in a nearby town but she’s drawn to a notice which has just been put in the window of another draper’s shop. They’re looking for a new assistant and Jane plucks up the courage to go in and enquire about the job. She’s successful, and so begins her new life. There’s no doubting that Jane is ambitious and has a good business mind, and she improves the business for the owner Mr Chadwick, but he is not at all grateful and exploits her financially. That just encourages Jane to long even more to have a shop of her own.
Whipple captures the small town atmosphere so well, with the gossip and snobbery, clandestine relationships and unrequited love. The characters are all so recognisable, and although Jane is a very likeable person, she’s not perfect – and she knows it.
The tale begins in 1913 so it isn’t long before WW1 changes things in the town although it doesn’t play a huge part in the book. I was amused to see quite a lot of mentions of aspidistra plants in this book, especially after reading George Orwell’s Keep the Aspidistra Flying recently.
I’ve only read one other book by Dorothy Whipple – Someone at a Distance – which I did enjoy (twice inadvertently as I had forgotten I had read it some years before!!) I’m sure that High Wages will stay with me much longer. Sadly my 1930 copy of the book doesn’t have the dust cover.
This book is on my list for sure…I only wish I could locate a hard copy of it to read! My children just gifted me with a Kindle, and I did find it available on there. I have never wanted to read on electronic devices, but I am trying to adjust for the sake of convenience and a much bigger selection that I can normally find at my local library or used book store. My sister just finished Someone at a Distance and really enjoyed it.
Paula,
I much prefer actual books but I’ve had a Kindle for years, I mainly use it for reading classics which I can usually get free from Project Gutenberg. The print is so much easier to read on a Kindle, but it’s not possible to look back easily the way you can do when riffling through book pages. I’m sure you’ll enjoy High Wages.
I just finished The Priory by Whipple. I’ve read five of her books, including High Wages, and have enjoyed them all.
Joan,
Wow, I don’t think I can even name five books by her – I must catch up with you!
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Hi Katrina I really enjoy reading your book reviews though it’s fatal as I always rush off and try to buy something. Because of you I picked up a Dorothy Whipple at a charity shop for 50p Someone at a Distance which I really enjoyed because of her sensitive characterisation and knowledge of how people tick. I’ve since read High Wages which was great, I loved the town atmosphere and Jane’s determination and the character development. I’ve also read Greenbanks and The Priory which were very interesting too though not as good as the previous two. Thank you Deb
Deb,
Thank you for dropping by, and taking the time to comment. I often think my thoughts on the books I read are a bit too thin, but I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. You have done very well book purchase-wise! I have only read Someone at a Distance and High Wages, so I’ll have to catch up with you.
Katrina